Islamic women's organisations on the West Bank

Abstract

Islamic organisations’ role in improving women’s position in society is often dismissed. Instead, they are believed to be devoted to charitable work and entrench patriarchal structures in line with traditional religious norms rather than challenge them. This brief nuances this picture, and describes some of the goals and activities of Islamic women’s organisations on the West Bank. In addition, the brief highlights factors that challenge the allegations that Islamic women’s organisations are affiliated with Hamas. Islamic women’s organisations provide more than charity. They provide a public space for women, and “educate the whole person for the future”. Four years of Fatah-Hamas infighting, however, have removed this important public space for the West Bank Islamic women’s organisations.